Question about the cost of health care reform

[subterranean]

Every day we hear that the health care reform will cost the government close to a trillion dollars (over 10 years). Yet at the same time, the CBO says it will reduce the deficit. My question is, how does the trillion dollar cost compare to what the government would spend without the reforms? When they say the bill will cost a trillion dollars, does that mean a trillion more than what it would cost if nothing is done? Or would it cost even more if we do nothing?

If the latter is the case, I think it's very misleading to say that the reforms will "cost" a trillion dollars. We should be framing it in terms of how much it would save.

I'd appreciate if anyone who knows could help clarify this for me (and others who may be confused). Thanks.